It has been nearly two decades since there has been redistricting in Manchester. But after some children found themselves in classrooms with nearly 40 other students, the school board said it needed to take action to relieve overcrowding.

"It's a very difficult change, no question, but it's something that has to be done," said Mayor Ted Gatsas.

While some schools have packed classrooms, Gatsas said others have room.

"(Manchester) West has got 14 kids to a class," he said. "It levels out the overcrowding at (Manchester) Central and helps the capacity of West."

But more than a few students at Central High School said redistricting would force them to repeat the big adjustments of their first year of high school.

"I honestly think it's unfair," said freshman Jaimaly Diaz. "Kids should stay where they are because they're just starting, and freshmen especially, they make friends, and for them to leave is just not fair."

Some parents said it's time to address bigger problems that redistricting won't fix.

"I'm from Manchester. I went to school in Manchester. I don't ever believe there's been a long-term solution for education," said parent Becky O'Neil. "Every single year, we're playing catch-up. I want a five-year plan. I want a 10-year plan. I want a 25-year plan."

O'Neil, who said she has two sons at Central and another at Hillside, said the city can start by hiring more teachers. Her sons said they wouldn't want to see their peers move to other schools.

"It's going to take away from the diversity of Central, which is kind of our thing," said sophomore Riley Powers.

The superintendent was given 30 days to come up with a plan to minimize the effects on students in kindergarten through fifth grade. School officials said students won't be moved during the academic year.